10R80 Owners - ULTIMATE M6G 10R80 Facts + Resolutions to harsh or no shift conditions

[wade001]

just got back from the dealer for a visit to have them look at the transmission in general for clunky, harsh shifts, and still had a couple more instances of "no-shift" into reverse (the latest one happening this morning actually). i had written down some notes along with dipstick markings and such, gave it to the tech, he verified for me it was at the correct level. dealer, as i figured they would, wanted to reset KAM and reinitialize the learning sequence for the transmission.

on the drive back to work after the visit, things seem to be shifting much smoother, we'll give it a couple hundred miles to see how it turns out, fingers crossed!

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[Flimflamman]

just got back from the dealer for a visit to have them look at the transmission in general for clunky, harsh shifts, and still had a couple more instances of "no-shift" into reverse (the latest one happening this morning actually). i had written down some notes along with dipstick markings and such, gave it to the tech, he verified for me it was at the correct level. dealer, as i figured they would, wanted to reset KAM and reinitialize the learning sequence for the transmission.

on the drive back to work after the visit, things seem to be shifting much smoother, we'll give it a couple hundred miles to see how it turns out, fingers crossed!

Do you have the numbered or lettered dipstick? What level did the tech agree it to be at? Just curious what yours said.

 

[filipradenovic]

Just got off the phone from Ford service about my transmission issue. As a reminder, car started going crazy with RPMs at a freeway speed, shifting gears from 10 to 8 and back 8 to 10, not being able to settle. They said they had a 50 miles test drive and everything was in perfect order. They ran the codes, nothing came up. They checked the transmission fluid level and it was ok (I brought it to them 2 weeks ago and they refilled it so that shouldn't be it). I asked if they checked for burned transmission fluid, they said yes. They said they couldn't find any issue whatsoever. I asked about adaptive learning, and it felt like I am not getting a straight answer there, so I might ask them to reset those, ie clear the adaptive table.

Tomorrow, I will go there and drive it with a technician. I really don't know what to do, they are convincing me the car is ok when I had the most horrifying driving experience in my life that did not feel safe. Can I make them do more tests? What should I ask from them tomorrow? I really don't feel like getting the car back when I clearly had an issue with it, but obviously they do not believe me.

What is the best course of action I can take here?

Thank you for the help.

 

[Flimflamman]

Just got off the phone from Ford service about my transmission issue. As a reminder, car started going crazy with RPMs at a freeway speed, shifting gears from 10 to 8 and back 8 to 10, not being able to settle. They said they had a 50 miles test drive and everything was in perfect order. They ran the codes, nothing came up. They checked the transmission fluid level and it was ok (I brought it to them 2 weeks ago and they refilled it so that shouldn't be it). I asked if they checked for burned transmission fluid, they said yes. They said they couldn't find any issue whatsoever. I asked about adaptive learning, and it felt like I am not getting a straight answer there, so I might ask them to reset those, ie clear the adaptive table.

Tomorrow, I will go there and drive it with a technician. I really don't know what to do, they are convincing me the car is ok when I had the most horrifying driving experience in my life that did not feel safe. Can I make them do more tests? What should I ask from them tomorrow? I really don't feel like getting the car back when I clearly had an issue with it, but obviously they do not believe me.

What is the best course of action I can take here?

Thank you for the help.

I'm sure some other folks will chime in, but I would say call FMC directly and open a case with them.

 

[filipradenovic]

I'm sure some other folks will chime in, but I would say call FMC directly and open a case with them.

What does that mean exactly? I should call FMC contact phone number and try to describe the situation to them? Should I do that before going for the test drive tomorrow or after?

 

[Flimflamman]

What does that mean exactly? I should call FMC contact phone number and try to describe the situation to them? Should I do that before going for the test drive tomorrow or after?

No I would wait and see what the end result is with the dealer. You do need to give them a chance before you start to bubble it up.

I think a good question to ask would be if there is any possibility the transmission was damaged while it was 2 quarts low on fluid (if I remember you correctly... not looking back through the thread at the moment.. could have missed those specifics). I would be pretty concerned about that.

Resetting the adaptive learning (or whatever the exact term is) is an honest request to make of them.

If you are not satisfied with the way the dealer handled it, you can open a case with Ford explaining the situation. It gets documented.

You might have to go through this process a couple of times with the dealer before corporate steps in. But at least you have started to address your concern with them.

I hope your problem gets resolved so you don't have to go through that B.S.

 

[Thegipper]

I have an update on my new 2020 GT PP1 that I got in January 2020. A few months back I took it into a dealership due to the clunky downshift from 4-3 or 3-1 as well as intermittent hesitation that could last a few seconds even if I floored it before there was any throttle response. the dealership said the fluid level was inspected and was fine and by driving it, it was behaving normally. They reflashed the software and sent me on my way. It didn't help.

About 2 months later I decided to go to another dealership, which was last week. Today my service adviser told me the transmission is being completely replaced and should be ready for me to pick up next week. He said the tech didn't finish their notes, but the tech did replicate my problems and it wasn't normal. There were no codes. The fluid was 1 quart low and upon internal inspection there were signs it needed complete replacement.

I've had so many other issues like a failed APIM, passenger seat padding being stitched while sticking out of the seat, C-pillar rattle, A-pillar rattle and interior trim that was sagging around the instrument cluster. I just don't know about Ford anymore. It's a cool car for sure and It's much more livable than a Camaro and I have no regrets but I can't imagine GM makes cars with this lack of quality control.

Anyways, there's my story.

 

[wade001]

Do you have the numbered or lettered dipstick? What level did the tech agree it to be at? Just curious what yours said.

no idea, i wrote down for them that my research showed 2 types of dipsticks being used, either middle of "A" on dipsticks with letters, or between 4-5 on dipsticks with numbers.. service advisor said tech rechecked it and verified it was full

 

[gmupatriot]

I have an update on my new 2020 GT PP1 that I got in January 2020. A few months back I took it into a dealership due to the clunky downshift from 4-3 or 3-1 as well as intermittent hesitation that could last a few seconds even if I floored it before there was any throttle response. the dealership said the fluid level was inspected and was fine and by driving it, it was behaving normally. They reflashed the software and sent me on my way. It didn't help.

About 2 months later I decided to go to another dealership, which was last week. Today my service adviser told me the transmission is being completely replaced and should be ready for me to pick up next week. He said the tech didn't finish their notes, but the tech did replicate my problems and it wasn't normal. There were no codes. The fluid was 1 quart low and upon internal inspection there were signs it needed complete replacement.

I've had so many other issues like a failed APIM, passenger seat padding being stitched while sticking out of the seat, C-pillar rattle, A-pillar rattle and interior trim that was sagging around the instrument cluster. I just don't know about Ford anymore. It's a cool car for sure and It's much more livable than a Camaro and I have no regrets but I can't imagine GM makes cars with this lack of quality control.

Anyways, there's my story.

This is exactly why this is my first and last Ford. I have 35,000 miles on the car and the amount of issues that keep popping up is unlike any other brand or type of car I have owned. The interior is so cheaply put together that my lowly 2017 Civic seems like an upgrade compared to the Mustang. The silver trim around the cluster rattles and buzzes. The C pillar and rear deck lid rattles and buzzes over the slightest road roughness, the interior is general has the cheapest buzzing sound whenever I go over any roughness on the road. It feels as if it is put together with spit to hold things together. The transmission is a mess, clunky, jerky, and shifts so hard from 2-3 and 4-5 it seems as if I got rear ended. I just started hearing a thunk/clunk sound when driving away from my parking lot, most probably slack in the driveshaft.

I will stop now because the list is longer but the bottom line is that Ford is complete crap when it comes to making the Mustang a reliable car in terms of interior and drive-train. I am sure some of you will jump to defend how great your car is and thats fantastic but the reality is that Ford and its dealerships dont do squat to make the customer feel any sort of confidence in its products.

 

[Thegipper]

This is exactly why this is my first and last Ford. I have 35,000 miles on the car and the amount of issues that keep popping up is unlike any other brand or type of car I have owned. The interior is so cheaply put together that my lowly 2017 Civic seems like an upgrade compared to the Mustang. The silver trim around the cluster rattles and buzzes. The C pillar and rear deck lid rattles and buzzes over the slightest road roughness, the interior is general has the cheapest buzzing sound whenever I go over any roughness on the road. It feels as if it is put together with spit to hold things together. The transmission is a mess, clunky, jerky, and shifts so hard from 2-3 and 4-5 it seems as if I got rear ended. I just started hearing a thunk/clunk sound when driving away from my parking lot, most probably slack in the driveshaft.

I will stop now because the list is longer but the bottom line is that Ford is complete crap when it comes to making the Mustang a reliable car in terms of interior and drive-train. I am sure some of you will jump to defend how great your car is and thats fantastic but the reality is that Ford and its dealerships dont do squat to make the customer feel any sort of confidence in its products.

It’ll be the last American car I’ll buy for sure. When Kia and Hyundai have stepped up their quality game So quickly only to have a 100+ year old company continue this way and not give a damn, I certainly won’t reward them. Americans can innovate like nobody else, but their corporate culture of penny-pinching makes their products barely better than something the Chinese would make.

 

[Zathras]

The Mustang has never been a refined car, but even taking that into account, Ford clearly doesn't put the same emphasis on whole-product QC compared to Honda or Toyota. (I'm not sure a comparison to Hyundai or Kia is fair because I assume the Korean brands have access to much cheaper manufacturing.) I think Ford still looks at the Mustang as a car that just has to look good and be fast, and the sales will follow. In 1987, when the base price of a Mustang GT was $12,000, maybe rattles, squeaks, & clunks were acceptable--but it's 2020 now and the Mustang GT is deep into the $30k-40k range. Ford still has a loyal fan base and decent sales, but I think their products are not keeping up with the market. Look at the reviews for the 2020 Explorer, which Motor Trend slammed for having "awful interior quality" and being "awfully expensive."

 

[filipradenovic]

I have an update on my 18 EB. I just got back from the Ford dealership, where I have driven the car with the transmission tech. He said they also drove it yesterday and everything seemed in order. After carefully reading this whole thread, I showed him the harsh engaging from R to D and a delay, tough in fairness it happens less since they refilled my transmission fluid. Driving in normal felt a bit sluggish, and he agreed, but it was nowhere near the erratic shifting I experienced when my problem occurred cruising at highway speeds. We drove around 20-30 miles on freeway but nothing. Finally, I also tried driving in Sports mode, and shifting 2-3 3-4 5-6 was sometimes delayed, and at times there was a harsh shifting with a forward-shake as if somebody has rear-ended me. Hopefully, this convinced him.

He said they will keep the car for more tests, run the software for updates, check the codes, and clear adaptive tables (some of these I was told they already did, but when I asked for report they said there is no report for now). Then, I asked to check the wiring, and connections, plugs, they said they will. The tech still thinks there is no reason to believe there is a mechanical issue, after testing the car himself. I hope they find what is wrong with it and fix it.

 

[Cobra Jet]

I have an update on my 18 EB. I just got back from the Ford dealership, where I have driven the car with the transmission tech. He said they also drove it yesterday and everything seemed in order. After carefully reading this whole thread, I showed him the harsh engaging from R to D and a delay, tough in fairness it happens less since they refilled my transmission fluid. Driving in normal felt a bit sluggish, and he agreed, but it was nowhere near the erratic shifting I experienced when my problem occurred cruising at highway speeds. We drove around 20-30 miles on freeway but nothing. Finally, I also tried driving in Sports mode, and shifting 2-3 3-4 5-6 was sometimes delayed, and at times there was a harsh shifting with a forward-shake as if somebody has rear-ended me. Hopefully, this convinced him.

He said they will keep the car for more tests, run the software for updates, check the codes, and clear adaptive tables (some of these I was told they already did, but when I asked for report they said there is no report for now). Then, I asked to check the wiring, and connections, plugs, they said they will. The tech still thinks there is no reason to believe there is a mechanical issue, after testing the car himself. I hope they find what is wrong with it and fix it.

In the initial post from this thread, print my Ford Service Center Tech notes I provided from my 2018 10R80 repair (which was the first trans repair under warranty at 35k miles). Your situation sounds a lot like mine where the valve body needed to be replaced. They not only replaced the valve body, but in those same notes outlined the procedure used to reprogram the trans after the valve body replacement. Take that image of the Service Order, print it and provide it to your Tech...

As I said in the initial post here, my 10R80 shifted so harsh when going from P to R, or R to D, it felt like the car was being hit. It also had the delayed shifts, delayed P to R and the clunky harsh shifts in Normal and Sport modes. There were no codes stored either.... Per the notes, the Tech found there was excessive line pressure and valve body was not functioning to spec. So I would take a very educated guess that your valve body needs to be replaced and trans updated with most recent strategy to match the valve body.

Some of these Techs just look for idiot lights or stored codes and if there isn’t any, they just either give up and assume there isn’t a problem... OR they don’t dig deeper to go through ALL possible flow chart diagnostics as provided by Ford.

Good Luck. If you can’t get resolution, then call the Ford 800# and start a Case to document the issues. That info is also found in the first post of this thread...

 

[Thegipper]

Update on my 10R80 transmission replacement. The dealership has had my car for 2.5 weeks. This morning I called and they said it should be done by today or tomorrow.

Just now I got a call saying, they made a mistake. They did get my new transmission delivered to them last week, but they got confused and it's actually another mustang will be done today, not mine. If I'm lucky I'll have at least another week to wait.

My advice for anyone else having a mid-life crisis is do not buy a Ford. The quality of the car and dealership is total crap. For a 4 month old car, I've had every type of problem.

 

[Triton54]

^ I do not like this...... ^

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